For FC Bayern Basketball, the second week of the season continues at full intensity—with three top-level games in six days. In the EuroLeague, head coach Anton Gavel’s team will first travel to face Turkish champions and title contenders Fenerbahçe Istanbul on Tuesday evening. They will then host Partizan Belgrade in their international home debut at SAP Garden on Friday at 8 p.m., before taking on BBL leaders Oldenburg at BMW Park on Sunday at 3 p.m.
Larkin, Shields and Key join the team
To take things in order: Bayern will also have to play away from home on Matchday 2 of the EuroLeague, this time against one of the favorites to reach the Final Four. As always, Fenerbahçe are also considered contenders for the trophy, as the 2025 champions have once again strengthened their roster significantly under head coach Šarūnas Jasikevičius.
The biggest addition is Shane Larkin, 34, who switched from city rival Anadolu Efes to the other side of the Bosporus after eight years there. Following the departures of veterans such as Nando de Colo and Scottie Wilbekin—who joined Beşiktaş—Larkin is expected to take on a veteran role alongside Wade Baldwin.
However, the American guard, who averages 14.8 points per game over his career, missed Fenerbahçe’s 78–68 opening win over Virtus Bologna because of a minor injury. Other prominent additions include Shevon Shields from Milan, former Finals MVP Will Clyburn from Barcelona, and Braxton Key, who joined from Valencia’s successful team.
The forward made a decisive contribution to the win over Virtus, which Fenerbahçe secured through a marked improvement on defense, scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Playmaker Baldwin and Shields also made important contributions with 12 points each, while returning cornerstone Talen Horton-Tucker scored 13.
Oldenburg visit BMW Park on Sunday
“When we talk about Fener, we’re talking about a Final Four team and a contender for the title,” Gavel said of the hosts. “So we’re immediately playing away again against one of the top favorites. We’ll have to deliver an almost perfect performance to compete there. I hope we are well prepared and that everyone rises to the importance of this challenge.”
European champion Oscar da Silva takes a similar view of the task ahead: “Fener are clearly a Final Four candidate again this year. They have an excellent team and an outstanding coaching staff. They play very physically and at a high pace—going away to face such a strong team will be a real challenge and a tough test for us.”
Fenerbahçe did not enjoy an ideal start to their domestic league campaign on Sunday, however. In the derby against Bahçeşehir, featuring former FCBB forward Isiaha Mike, who scored five points, they suffered a surprisingly heavy 98–83 defeat after a poor opening quarter, which they lost 28–16.
Horton-Tucker was his team’s top scorer here as well with 16 points, followed by Shields with 13, Key with 12, and guard Trent Forrest with 10. Forrest joined from Baskonia.